Free Kate Sherwood - Dark Horse 02 - Out of the Darkness by Kate Sherwood

maybe those and the shirt….
    His phone rings about seven o’clock, and he sees that it’s Evan calling. Probably checking whether he’s backing out. Dan’s happy that he’s already dressed and ready, so he’s got evidence of his commitment to the event. But it turns out that Evan has something else on his mind.
    “So, I tried to talk to Blaine a bit, and he was a total ass about it,” Evan begins. “And Jeff thinks it’s funny, and you seemed to think it was funny this morning… so do you mind if we just let it ride? I mean, he’s a big talker, but he’s not going to take a swing at you or anything, so it should all be pretty harmless.”
Dan snorts. “You guys are weird friends.”
     
“Yeah, we used to be a lot closer. He’s just ridiculously loyal, you know? We’ve really got nothing in common anymore, but….” “Dude, you’ve got to stop feeding him. I know it’s hard, but it’s only fair—he needs to find a full-time owner.”
    “Nah, he’s not that bad, really. I mean, he’s got a good heart, and he tries. He just really doesn’t understand how my life has changed, you know?”
“He doesn’t understand your sudden interest in starting up a threesome with a slutty stable boy?”
     
“Jesus, man,” Dan can almost hear Evan’s wince. “That’s what you said earlier. Did he use those actual words?”
     
“I don’t know, something pretty close. Or maybe those exactly....” “I don’t know if you should be more insulted about the ‘slut’ part or the ‘stable boy’ part.”
    Dan just laughs. “Dude, I’ve been each of them at some points in the past, and I’ve been both together sometimes too. He’s not wrong about the character, just the timing.”
Evan doesn’t speak for a couple beats. “Well, then, I guess neither one is really that much of an insult. I’ve been a slutty party boy….”
    “Cocktease bar boy….”
“Pretty-boy college kid….”
“Twink cabana boy….”
There’s a pause, and then Evan says, “An honest-to-God cabana boy? Like, with a tan and tight shorts and everything?”
     
“Not much of a tan, really. But the shorts, for sure.”
     
“Jesus, that’s hot.” Evan sounds like he’s ready to drag Dan off to a beach right now. “Do you still have the shorts?”
     
“Fuck no! I was just a kid. Only did it for a couple months.”
    “Shit, and I missed it. Someday, you and me are gonna have to have a talk, figure out just how many of my sexual fantasies you’ve actually already fulfilled.”
    “Dude, someday you and me and Jeff are gonna have to have a talk, figure out just when I’m allowed to start working on the fantasies you’ve still got outstanding.”
    “Okay, and that brings us to the second reason for my call!” Evan sounds excited. “Can you stick around after the show tonight? We can go to Jeff’s….”
“What about your guests? Won’t they miss you?”
     
“Nah, I already told them tonight was all about Jeff. They know what a big deal it is for him.”
     
“Okay, and I guess that’s question number two. Are you sure you guys don’t want to celebrate alone? I mean, I don’t want to intrude.”
    “Dude, a big emotional talk and then hot sex…. The first one is Jeff’s perfect night, the second one is mine. Put them together, and we’re both happy as damn clams. We absolutely want you there. Jeff was the one who suggested it.”
“Well, yeah, okay, then. So if I come by the gallery a bit later? Like, ten, maybe?”
    “Sure, yeah. Or come earlier and hang out. Jeff’s worried that no one’s gonna show, and I think he’s full of crap, but just in case he’s right, it wouldn’t hurt to have some warm bodies around. And, hey, if it’s really quiet we can put you in some shorts out on the street and you can offer free daiquiris to anyone who’ll come inside.”
“Don’t make me regret telling you about that.”
    “No, man, you haven’t told me about it yet, you’ve just teased me with it. You